Fansided

NFL suspends Seantrel Henderson for using weed to treat Crohn’s Disease

By Joshua Sadlock

Oct 18, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills tackle Seantrel Henderson (66) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills tackle Seantrel Henderson (66) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The NFL has handed down a 10-game suspension to Seantrel Henderson for using marijuana to cope with Crohn’s Disease.

Seantrel Henderson has not had a major impact on the 2016 season for the Buffalo Bills. The offensive lineman out of the University of Miami has only played in a lone regular season game since finding out during the middle of last season that he is battling Crohn’s Disease. Now, Henderson will not see the field until at least the middle of next season as the NFL has handed down a 10-game suspension for marijuana use.

For those unfamiliar with the disease, Crohn’s is a chronic condition that affects the digestive system. It causes long-term inflammation of the intestines, and those suffering from the disease must endure crippling abdominal pain, cramping, fatigue, difficulty eating, nausea, vomiting and a host of other awful symptoms — clearly, not a fun time for anyone dealing with the disease. Henderson had to have over two feet of his intestines surgically removed in January because they had become toxic.

Henderson and many Crohn’s patients use medicinal marijuana to cope with their pain and make it easier to keep down food. That, unfortunately, does not align with the wholesome values of the NFL. Henderson was already suspended four games at the start of the season, but continued using the drug. Medical marijuana is fully legal in the state of New York, and Henderson was prescribed the drug.

Next: Every NFL Team's Best Draft Pick Of All-Time

“There is zero allowable medical exemption for this per the NFL; however, there clearly should be,” Brian Fettner, the player’s agent, said. NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that a source close to Henderson stated that the lineman needed marijuana to avoid becoming dependent on prescription painkillers.

Henderson previously outlined his own personal struggles with Crohn’s disease in an interview with the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. For several months, Henderson was forced to use a bag attached to his waist to go to the bathroom.

"“I was depressed, I was down, I was insecure about myself,” he recalled. “I had the bag, not being able to use the bathroom for three or four months. I couldn’t do anything I wanted to do, I lost all that weight, I was very unhealthy. I had no appetite like it used to be, so it really had my mind not all the way together. After I had the second surgery, and I started getting back into working out and things like that, things started being on the up and up for me.”"

Coming back from having over two feet of your intestines removed and months using an ileostomy bag to live a normal life is admirable. Coming back to make an NFL roster is almost superhuman. This is a player and cause the league should be championing and lifting up, but instead he faces a 10-game suspension. Meanwhile, kicker Josh Brown was slapped with a one-game suspension despite outlining years of domestic abuse.

And the NFL wonders why it has an image problem?

Home/Buffalo Bills